If you spent any time on Disney+ lately, you probably stumbled across Siempre Fui Yo. Or, as we know it in English, It Was Always Me. It’s one of those shows that catches you off guard because it looks like a standard teen musical drama, but then it pivots into a genuine mystery that feels surprisingly heavy. You think you're getting High School Musical set in Colombia. Instead, you get a story about grief, suspicious "accidents," and a girl trying to figure out if her famous father was actually who she thought he was.
Let’s be honest. Most musical shows are fluff.
But this one? It’s different. It stars Karol Sevilla—who most people recognize immediately from Soy Luna—and Pipe Bueno, who is basically royalty in the Colombian music scene. The chemistry isn't just "TV cute." It’s palpable. When Lupe (Sevilla) travels from Mexico to Cartagena for her father’s funeral, the vibe shifts from mourning to investigation almost instantly. Her father, "El Faraón," was a legend. Everyone loved him. But Lupe knows something is wrong.
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What Really Happened in It Was Always Me?
The plot of It Was Always Me isn't just about the music, though the soundtrack is undeniably catchy. It's about the tension between the public persona of a star and the messy reality of their private life. Lupe arrives in Cartagena and realizes her father's "accidental" death has more holes than a piece of Swiss cheese. She’s an outsider in a world that supposedly worships her family.
Noah, played by Pipe Bueno, enters the frame as her father’s former assistant. Is he helpful? Is he suspicious? That’s the hook. The show plays with your trust. You want to like Noah because, well, it’s Pipe Bueno and he’s charming, but the writing keeps you guessing. The show avoids the trope of the perfect, grieving daughter. Lupe is frustrated. She’s terrified. She’s also a bit of a fish out of water in the vibrant, humid, and often claustrophobic social circles of the Colombian elite.
The setting of Cartagena acts as a character itself. It’s beautiful. The colors pop. But in the context of the mystery, those bright Caribbean streets start to feel like a maze. You see the contrast between the sunny tourist spots and the shadowed corners where the characters keep their secrets. It’s a smart choice by the production team. It keeps the energy high even when the dialogue gets somber.
Why Karol Sevilla’s Performance Matters
For a lot of fans, seeing Karol Sevilla in It Was Always Me was a turning point. She had to shed the "Disney Channel Star" skin. Soy Luna was bright, bubbly, and very much for kids. Siempre Fui Yo is for the audience that grew up with her. She’s older. Her voice is deeper. She’s playing a character who has to deal with the trauma of losing a parent while realizing that her entire childhood might have been a lie.
She handles the singing differently here, too. It’s not just pop anthems. There’s a folk influence, a nod to the vallenato and porro sounds of Colombia. It feels authentic. If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong in your own family, you’ll resonate with her portrayal of Lupe.
The Mystery Element That Most People Miss
People usually talk about the romance. That’s fine. But the real meat of It Was Always Me is the investigative procedural hidden underneath the songs. It explores how fame corrupts. It asks: how far would someone go to protect a legacy?
The show doesn’t hand you the answers. It’s a slow burn.
- The mystery of the "accident" at sea.
- The missing lyrics and songs that imply a different side of El Faraón.
- The jealousies within the musical troupe that look like sibling rivalry but feel more like corporate sabotage.
There’s a specific scene in the first season where Lupe finds her father’s hidden recordings. It’s quiet. No big swells of music. Just her listening to a dead man’s voice. That’s where the show peaks. It understands that the loudest moments aren’t always the most impactful.
Colombia as the Heart of the Show
We have to talk about the cultural representation. It’s not a Hollywood version of Colombia. It’s a Disney+ Latin America production, which means the slang is real. The food is real. The music isn't just generic Latin pop; it respects the regional sounds of the coast. Pipe Bueno brings a level of credibility to this. In Colombia, he’s a massive star in the música popular genre. Having him play Noah wasn't just a casting choice; it was a statement.
The show bridges the gap between the Mexican influence (via Lupe) and the Colombian setting. It reflects a modern, interconnected Latin America that isn't often seen on global streaming platforms in this specific way.
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Dealing With the Second Season Shift
When the second season dropped, things got even weirder. In a good way. It wasn't just a repeat of the first season’s formula. Without spoiling too much, the stakes shifted from "who killed my dad?" to "how do we survive the aftermath?"
The group reunites to record a tribute album, and the tension is sky-high. It turns into a bit of a "locked room" mystery, but instead of a room, it’s a beautiful island. It’s slightly more "thriller" than "drama" this time around. Some fans found the transition jarring. I thought it was a bold move. Most shows would have just done It Was Always Me: Part 2 with the same old tropes. Instead, they pushed the characters into a more dangerous, psychological space.
Actionable Insights for Viewers and Aspiring Creators
If you’re watching It Was Always Me, pay attention to the pacing. It’s a masterclass in how to integrate music into a story without making it feel like a "music video" break. For creators, there are a few things to take away:
- Location is leverage. Use your setting to heighten the mood. The heat of Cartagena makes the tension feel more oppressive.
- Character history over exposition. We learn about Lupe’s relationship with her dad through her reactions to his music, not just through dialogue.
- Subvert the genre. Just because a show has songs doesn't mean it can't be a dark mystery.
The series proves that there's a massive market for "Older YA" content in Spanish that doesn't rely on the typical telenovela tropes of the 90s. It’s sleek. It’s fast. It’s actually quite smart.
Honestly, the show works because it respects its audience. It knows you’ve seen the "girl moves to a new city and finds herself" story a thousand times. So it gives you that, but then it adds a dead father, a secret will, and a guy who might be a hero or a villain. You're never quite comfortable while watching, and that’s exactly why you keep clicking "Next Episode."
To get the most out of the experience, watch it in the original Spanish with subtitles. The dubbing is okay, but you lose the specific cadence of the Colombian Caribbean accent, which is half the charm. You’ll hear the difference in how Lupe speaks compared to the locals, which highlights her isolation. It’s a small detail, but it’s the kind of thing that makes a show go from "background noise" to "must-watch."
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Check out the soundtrack on Spotify after you finish season one. "La Canción Más Bella" isn't just a plot point; it’s a genuinely great track that stands on its own.
For those looking to dive into the series now, start with season one and don't rush. The clues are there from the very first episode, hidden in the lyrics and the background of the shots. It was always there, waiting for you to notice.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Re-watch the pilot: Look specifically at Noah’s first interaction with Lupe; the body language tells a different story once you know the ending.
- Explore the genre: If you liked the mystery-meets-music vibe, look into other Colombian productions like The Queen of Flow, though it’s much more of a traditional soap.
- Check the Credits: Follow the actual songwriters of the series; many are prominent Latin Grammy winners who shaped the "El Faraón" sound to be historically grounded.